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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

Chuck was lucky to have had you. I can't imagine many people who would even think about having a blind rabbit. And we all could see the change in his behavior once you brought Noot into his life. He lived with 10 times more enrichment in his life while in your care than he would have with most others. This is definitely a case of quality vs quantity. And for that, I'm sure he'll be eternally grateful.

I agree, I hope for Noot to bond with Kahlua and Rupert! It will be a comfort to see him in rabbit company. Rest in peace, Chuck.

"what happened?
did something happen or can I just go back to my hay?"

bunnyluvrHouston, TX

419 posts

6/07/2010 6:43 AM

I have tears rolling down my checks as I type this. I will so miss reading your touching posts of the beautiful Chuck. His sight is restored, his head up-righted and he is binkying and doing bunny 500's as he waits for your and Noot's arrival just over the bridge. Hugs to you and nose rubs for sweet Noot. Binky Free Chuck!

I'm so sorry for you and Noot....a loss is not easy to overcome, but I hope the pain grows less and less everyday, because your love will only grow and grow....

meum cuniculum amo!

ElrohwenHudson Valley, NY

Forum Leader

7322 posts

6/08/2010 8:12 AM

Aww, K&K, I'm so sorry. You were such a great bunny mom to Chuck and he was so lucky to have you!

- Elrohwen

KokaneeandkahluaEdmonton, Alberta; Canada

Forum Leader

11748 posts

6/08/2010 9:27 PM

Thank you all. Your kind words mean so much to me-I can't thank you enough.

I've been putting off writting Chuck's memorial because it seems so final, but I have to tell it.

Chuck came to me just about two years ago. After Kokanee left me, I was searching for a special bunny. I looked at many rabbits, but when I saw Chuck's picture and read his story I knew he was who I was looking for. Most people thought I was kooky to go to Vancouver to adopt a rabbit but it felt right and soon I was approved for adoption and headed to Vancouver with Kahlua and Rupert in tow-to meet Chuck.

Chuck came to the rabbit rescue after a history of neglect, that sickness had not been treated and had left him blind. We soon discovered after he came home that he was deaf too. Chuck was amazing though and moved around like a normal bunny. He was cuddly and sweet. And such a big eater. He loved nothing more then shredding and chewing towels and paper.

Rupert and Kahlua bonded with him, but it wasn't right. Although there were never any fights, Chuck wouldn't leave his little area he claimed so the only time he was with them was when they were in that area-the roamed the rest of the apartment otherwise. I got Chuck a stuffed lion, and he took to that more so then Kahlua and Rupert. He groomed his lion and slept on him, and it appeared he even tried to feed his lion-often taking his veggies to the lion when he ate.

When Noot came into my life I had no intention of bringing him home. Like the other rabbits in the shelter, I'd have loved to take them home but couldn't. But Noot had just lost his family and his companion bunny and stopped eating. I knew he wouldn't live much longer on his hunger strike. He seemed like a 'get along with anybunny' bunny and Chuck was that type too. So I made a decision and brought him home. I was scared of upsetting Chuck, should this strange bunny hurt him. I shouldn't have worried. They hardly sniffed each other, they just cuddled right up and that was that.

Chuck got sick last November. Looking back at the pictures of that first night when I realized, I don't even know how I knew it was head tilt. His head was tilted so slightly and he wasn't rolling or stumbling. But I knew. I phoned my vet at home and she got Chuck in to see her immediately. We began treatment, and she consulted with a specialist in Saskatoon every step of the way. Chuck and Noot lived in a dog bed and then a crib in my living room for that time, to facilitate less disturbance while giving medicaiton-and to help me change bedding-which needed to be done four times a day. Chuck couldn't or wouldn't use a litter box anymore, so I used puppy pads under towels and had incontinence pillows specially made.

This spring Chuck got better and almost completely recoved, but for a small tilt. I had just thrown the crib away and remodelled the bunny room so Chuck and Noot could have their space back-finally lots of room to stretch out. Then within a few weeks his tilt came back. I was devastated and took him right back to the vet. We did the same treatment as last time, and then did more treatment. And then tried more treatment. Through it all Chuck ate heartily and happily-in fact he didn't lose any weight at all-which suprised the vet. Groomed Noot and was groomed. I found them snuggling all the time.Chuck even engaged in play, chewing and tossing the corners of his towels. He loved his treats he got after meds, always waited for them-he knew the routine.

And nothing was working.

With no treatment options left for him, I pulled him off his medications and started just letting him have some happy time with no bugging from mom. And I phoned my vet and told her I was ready to say goodbye. No, not ready, but it was time.

These are the last pictures I took on Friday

Chuck-I love you. And Noot loves you so much. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry I couldn't fix you. You were the sweetest little man and I adore you. I miss you so much and I can't wait to see you at the bridge. Because, then, you will see me too.

BInky free my sweet Chuck.

Kokanee & Chuck My Bridge Bunnies-you left paw prints on my heart

Barbie

1584 posts

6/08/2010 9:45 PM

Aww K&K how sweet. Thanks for sharing that story with us, I know it's hard Chuck was such a fighter, and I love that Noot was there with him the whole way, helping him and even keeping Chuck from rolling over. Chuck is a special little man, and I think everyone on the forum, me included, will miss him.

MonkeybunHillsboro, Oregon

10492 posts

6/08/2010 10:08 PM

That's such a sweet story of him. I'm glad to have "known" chuck, he was such a sweetie. Hugs to all of your little furry family. <3

Cassi&CharlieCanberra

1232 posts

6/08/2010 11:54 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss Lesley! He was such a spunky bunny and definitely my favourite. My heart goes out to Noot as well, who was such a supportive bunny for Chuck. Gosh, I'm so sorry, and very sad. *Binky free Chuck* I know him and Kokanee are having a great time reminiscing about how fantastic you were Lesley and how much they're looking forward to seeing you again across the rainbow bridge.

If computers get too powerful, we can organize them into a committee -- that will do them in.
Bradley's Bromide

LittlePuffyTailNew Brunswick, Canada

Forum Leader

12721 posts

6/09/2010 1:24 AM

That was very touching to read. I'm all teared up. That first pic with Noot is so beautiful. He was such a sweet, special little bunny.

I can't even imagine how hard the whole thing must have been for you. It's hard for me to even look at the pictures of his head so tilted. He was so very lucky to have you.

Proud to be a Bunny Hugger and a voice for the voiceless

Lara

312 posts

6/09/2010 7:42 AM

I've been away from BB for a while, but I was lurking in the lounge and saw the thread about Noot. I immediately rushed over here to see if it meant what I thought it meant...

I am so sorry that you lost such a special little man from your life. It breaks my heart that Chuck is gone. However, I know that he's in a better place with no pain. Like so many other people, Chuck had a special place in my heart from the moment I saw him and read about his beautiful spirit. I hope that Noot finds friends in Kahlua and Rupert... he deserves to get some bunny comfort after being such a champion for Chuck.

Calypso, Echo and I are all sending our love and best wishes to you and your crew!

Sage CatDenver

1884 posts

6/09/2010 1:37 PM

Chuck is a very special soul! He will live on through all of us that have "known" and loved him! I'm so sad to hear that he has gone over the bridge, but glad to know he is free of all the things that aled him

Kay, Winston and I send our love to you and the amazing Noot!

Bun - Buns!

MimzMumInterior Alaska

7987 posts

6/09/2010 3:16 PM

I hope you can take comfort in knowing that Chuck is now in the arms of The Great Physician, and that there is nothing for you to feel bad about in his care, you were the most fantastic bunny mom for him. He was so blessed to have you come into his life.

I'm all undone again, I can't tell you how much I will miss this special bun also. God bless Noot, I do hope he can bond with Kahlua and Rupert and that he can feel Chuck watching over all of you from Paradise. I'll be thinking of all of you! God Bless! (((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))

KokaneeandkahluaEdmonton, Alberta; Canada

Forum Leader

11748 posts

6/10/2010 7:31 PM

Thank you all so much-it means so much to me *hugs*

Kokanee & Chuck My Bridge Bunnies-you left paw prints on my heart

LintiniBay Area, California

3336 posts

6/10/2010 11:04 PM

Beautiful photos, I'm having a hard time finding the keys on my keyboard because an ocean is built up in my eyes. I am so glad you were able to have Chuck in your life and Noot is a wonderful little guy for being so loving to him. I too will really miss this special bun, I remember when I first came here and joined BB, and read about him from you - I thought to myself what a special rabbit Chuck must be and how deserving he is to be in a loving home like yours. *big hugs* again to you from me and the gang.

HatterBunnyHuntington Beach

271 posts

6/11/2010 7:36 AM

What a special bunny Chuck really is! I think that not only was he lucky to have you in his life, to love and care for him, but you were so lucky to have him in your life! I hope the pain of your loss slowly dies away as your heart is replaced with the fond memories and times you had with him...

Hatter and I are so sorry for your loss.

meum cuniculum amo!

Merbella

120 posts

6/12/2010 8:31 PM

That was terribly sad, but so incredibly beautiful to read at the same time. It was beautiful because you provided him with a wonderful life, something he more than likely would not have been able to experience had you not rescued him. God bless you (and little Noot!) for showing him love and happiness when no one else would.

wendyzskiChicago, IL

1316 posts

6/24/2010 10:17 AM

I've been away for a long time and was sooo sorry to read this. I will always miss the stories of brave little Chuck and his faithful companion Noot. I hope that Noot becomes good friends with your other bunnies - he deserves it.

Denise12Astoria, NY

284 posts

6/25/2010 7:57 AM

so sorry, i'm in tears....

Karla

1606 posts

6/25/2010 8:12 AM

I haven't seen this thread either, and I'm so sorry for your loss, K&K. I wish I had seen it, so I could have lit a candle for him as well.

What a teary thread. Bless his little heart - Binky Free, Chuck! I know you are in a happy place now.

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